Sitename.com
Diseases Symptoms Drugs Injuries Surgeries Vitamins Pediatric Symptoms
  home         about us         support center         contact us         terms of service         site map

Calcium Carbonate

Basic Information

Brand names:
Calcium Carbonate Chewable Tablets
BioCal(R)
Cal Sup(R)
Os-Cal 500(R)
Suplical(R)
Theracal(R)
Tums(R)
Tums E-X(R)
Calcium Carbonate Tablets
BioCal(R)
Caltrate(R)
Os-Cal 500(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Some forms, yes; others, no

NATURAL SOURCES

Almonds
Brazil nuts
Caviar
Cheese
Kelp
Milk
Milk products
Molasses
Salmon, canned
Sardines, canned
Shrimp
Soybeans
Tofu
Turnip greens
Yogurt

REASONS TO USE

  • Helps prevent osteoporosis in older people.
  • Treats calcium depletion in people with hypoparathyroidism, osteomalacia, rickets.
  • Treats low-calcium levels in people taking anti-convulsant medication.
  • Treats tetany (severe muscle spasms) caused by insect bites, sensitivity reactions, cardiac arrest, lead poisoning.
  • Is used as an antidote to magnesium poisoning.
  • Prevents muscle cramps in some people.
  • Promotes normal growth and development.
  • Builds bones and teeth.
  • Maintains bone density and strength.
  • Buffers acid in stomach and acts as antacid.
  • Helps regulate heartbeat, blood clotting, muscle contraction.
  • Treats neonatal hypocalcemia.
  • Promotes storage and release of some body hormones.
  • Promotes use of amino acids.
  • Lowers phosphate concentrations in people with chronic kidney disease.

    UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

  • Helps prevent insomnia and anxiety (acts as a natural tranquilizer).
  • Helps prevent hypertension.
  • Treats allergies.
  • Decreases likelihood of hardening of arteries.
  • Treats leg cramps.
  • Treats diabetes.
  • Treats throat spasms.

    WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?

  • Anyone with inadequate caloric or dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements or who does not like or consume milk products.
  • People allergic to milk and milk products or who don't tolerate them well.
  • Older people (over 55 years), particularly women.
  • Women throughout adult life, especially during pregnancy and lactation, but not limited to these times.
  • Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
  • People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long periods or who have recently undergone surgery.
  • Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed.
  • People with recent severe burns or injuries.

    DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

  • Osteoporosis (late symptoms): frequent fractures in spine and other bones, deformed spinal column with humps, loss of height
  • Osteomalacia: frequent fractures
  • Muscle contractions
  • Convulsive seizures
  • Muscle cramps
  • Low backache

    UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

  • Uncontrollable temper outbursts

    LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

  • 24-hour urine collection to measure calcium levels (Sulkowitch)
  • Serum-calcium levels
  • Imaging procedures to scan for bone density (more reliable than above tests)

    DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION

    Age RDA
    0-6 months 360mg
    6-12 months 540mg
    1-10 years 800mg
    11-18 years 1,000mg
    18+ years 800mg
    Pregnant +400mg
    Lactating +400mg
    Different types of calcium supplements contain more available
    calcium (also called ELEMENTAL CALCIUM) than others. To
    provide 1,000mg of available calcium, you must take:
    4 tablets/day of 625mg calcium carbonate
    4 tablets/day of 650mg calcium carbonate
    4 tablets/day of 750mg calcium carbonate
    3 tablets/day of 835mg calcium carbonate
    2 tablets/day of 1,250mg calcium carbonate
    2 tablets/day of 1,500mg calcium carbonate
    Check contents of product you choose to determine how many
    tablets are needed to provide the amount of calcium you require.
    What this mineral does:

  • Participates in metabolic functions necessary for normal activity of nervous, muscular, skeletal systems.
  • Plays important role in normal heart function, kidney function, blood clotting, blood-vessel integrity.
  • Helps utilization of vitamin B-12.

    Miscellaneous information:

  • Bones serve as storage site for calcium in the body. There is a constant interchange between calcium in bone and the bloodstream.
  • Foods rich in calcium (or supplements) help maintain the balance between bone needs and blood needs.
  • Don't discard outer parts of vegetables during food preparation.
  • Exercise, a balanced diet, calcium from natural sources or supplements and estrogens are important in treating and preventing osteoporosis.

    Available as:

  • Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
  • Chewable tablets: Chew well before swallowing.

    WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

    Don't take if you:

  • Are allergic to calcium or antacids.
  • Have kidney stones.
  • Have a high blood-calcium level.
  • Have sarcoidosis.

    Consult your doctor if you have:

  • Kidney disease.
  • Chronic constipation, colitis, diarrhea.
  • Stomach or intestinal bleeding.
  • Irregular heartbeat.

    Over age 55:

  • Adverse reactions and side effects are more likely.
  • Diarrhea or constipation are particularly likely.

    Pregnancy:

  • May need extra calcium. Consult doctor about supplements.
  • Don't take megadoses.

    Breast-feeding:

  • Drug passes into milk. Consult doctor about supplements.
  • Don't take megadoses.

    Effect on lab tests:

  • Serum-amylase and serum 11-hydroxycorticosteroid concentrations can be increased.
  • Decreases serum-phosphate concentration with excessive, prolonged use.

    Storage:

  • Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
  • Store safely out of reach of children.
  • Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of mineral.

    Others:

  • Dolomite or bone meal are probably UNSAFE sources of calcium because they contain lead.
  • Avoid taking calcium within 1 or 2 hours of meals or ingestion of other medicines, if possible.
  • Some calcium carbonate is derived from oyster shells. Calcium carbonate derived from this source is NOT recommended!

    OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

    Signs and symptoms:
    Confusion, high blood pressure, increased sensitivity of eyes
    and skin to light, increased thirst, slow or irregular
    heartbeat, depression, bone or muscle pain, nausea, vomiting,
    skin itching, skin rash, increased urination.

    What to do:

  • For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor immediately. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section below.
  • For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.

    ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

    Reaction or effect What to do
    Early signs of too much calcium in blood:
    Appetite loss Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Constipation Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Drowsiness Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Dry mouth Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Headache Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Metallic taste Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Tiredness or weakness Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Late signs of too much calcium in blood:
    Confusion Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Depression Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    High blood pressure Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Increased thirst Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Increased urination Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Muscle or bone pain Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Nausea Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Skin rash Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Slow or irregular heartbeat Seek emergency treatment.
    Vomiting Discontinue. Call doctor
    immediately.

    INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS

    Interacts with Combined effect
    Digitalis preparations Heartbeat irregularities.
    Iron supplements Decreases absorption of iron
    unless vitamin C is taken at
    same time.
    Magnesium-containing medications Increases blood level of both.
    or supplements
    Oral contraceptives and May increase calcium
    estrogens absorption.
    Potassium supplements Increases chance of heartbeat
    irregularities.
    Tetracyclines (oral) Decreases absorption of
    tetracycline.
    Vitamin A (megadoses) Stimulates bone loss.
    Vitamin D (megadoses) Excessively increases
    absorption of calcium
    supplements.

    INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

  • Tobacco decreases absorption.
  • Alcohol decreases absorption.

    Beverages

  • Tea decreases absorption.
  • Coffee decreases absorption.
  • Don't take calcium with milk or other dairy products so your body can absorb the most calcium from food AND calcium supplement.

    Foods

  • Avoid eating spinach, rhubarb, bran, whole-grain cereals, fresh fruits or fresh vegetables at same time you take calcium. They may prevent efficient absorption.

  • Dserun mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum and sunt in culpa qui officias deserunt mollit. Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. September 24, 2004
    read more

    Email:

    Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
    Support forums
    Help desk
    F.A.Q.
    go
    home       about us      affiliates     contact us       terms of service      

    © 2005 HealthSE.com All right reserved